Patna: In a deeply disturbing incident from Nagwan village under the Janipur police station area of Patna, a 14-year-old girl and her 12-year-old brother were found dead, their bodies burnt on a bed inside their home on Thursday afternoon.
The victims, Anjali Kumari and Anshu, had returned from school shortly before the incident occurred between 12 noon and 1:30 pm. According to their father, Lalan Gupta, 2 to 3 individuals are suspected of carrying out the crime. He said, “Had it been an accidental fire, the children would have screamed or struggled — but nothing like that happened. This is murder.”
The bodies were discovered by the children’s mother, who works as a security guard at AIIMS Patna. She returned home around 2 pm to find the door unresponsive and a foul smell emerging from inside. Upon forcing entry with the help of her husband, the couple found both children lying dead and severely burnt. Cloth was found tied around their mouths, leading to suspicions of suffocation or gagging prior to the fire.
Lalan Gupta, who is employed with the Election Commission, alleged that an attempt to assault the children may have preceded the killings. “They were killed first and then the house was set on fire to destroy evidence,” he claimed.
The incident triggered widespread outrage. Locals blocked the Patna–Janipur road and set fires in protest, demanding swift action. Police from Janipur station, along with Phulwari Sharif SDPO Deepak Kumar, arrived at the scene and assured residents of a thorough investigation.
The police have initiated an investigation from all angles and have called in the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team to determine the cause of the fire and confirm whether it was used as a means to conceal the crime.
As the investigation progresses, grief-stricken family members and neighbours continue to demand immediate arrests. Meanwhile, the children’s school routine and the fact that they were often home alone during working hours have raised questions about neighbourhood safety and the vulnerability of minors in urban households.
